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Eddie Koiki Mabo was born
He was born on the Island of Mer (Murray Island) in the Torres Strait. His mother died giving birth and so he was adopted by his uncle, his surname was then changed from Sambo to Mabo -
Where he lived
Mabo moved to Townsville in Queensland and held a variety of jobs. Here he married Bonita Neehow -
taken from his home
The Cause Of a Prank removed Eddie fro his home -
Mabo becoming an activist
Eddie was a activist in the 1967 Referendum campaign and helped o found the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health service -
Helpng to establish a school
In 1973, Koiki became a co-founder and director of the Townsville 'Black Community school' - one of the first in Australia. Eddie volunteered to work for half pay to help establish the school -
The issue of land rights
In 1974, the issue of land rights became the main focus for Mabo's energy. While this was happening he was working on campus as a gardener at James Cook University -
NAEC
In 1975, Koiki was asked to join the National Aboriginal Education Committee (NAEC), an advisory body to the Commonwealth Education Department and he served on the committee for 3 years -
Koikis first speech
In 1981, he gave his first speech at the land rights conference, explaining the traditional land ownership and the inheritance system that his community on Mer Island followed. a lawyer in the audience noted that significance of Koikis speech and suggested that there should be a test case to claim land rights through the court system. -
Mabo Case
On the 20th of May, 1982, Koiki and fellow Mer Islanders began their legal claim for ownership of their land with the high court of Australia. this day became known as the "Mabo case" -
Eddie Mabos death
He passes away from cancer aged 56 on the 21st of January 1992